But Gore had his message, the one that has fired up crowds from New York City to southern Illinois, from Hannibal, Mo., to Hartford.

"The basic choice in this election couldn't be clearer," Gore told an enthusiastic crowd in downtown Hartford. "It's a choice between the same approach we've been taking and change, a choice between a government that responds only to a privileged few and ... a different approach that puts people first."

Gore, tapped by presidential candidate Bill Clinton for the No. 2 spot on the ticket, drew the largest crowd of the day -- estimated at 5,000 by police -- at the Old State House, where onlookers packed the square and others peered from the windows of nearby office buildings.

After signing autographs for several hundred lingering supporters, Gore headed for The Hartford Club, where the party's high-rollers paid $500 apiece to hobnob with the Tennessee senator and his entourage.

Before arriving in Hartford, Gore spoke to 2,000 workers at Textron Lycoming in Stratford about the Democrats' defense conversion plan and dined on a hamburger and chocolate milkshake at a luncheonette in Waterbury.

His message at all three Connecticut stops was primarily directed at middle-class wage earners, who he said were left to fall behind in the past 12 years of the Reagan and Bush administrations as the top 1 percent of Americans grew wealthier.

"I can tell you straight from my heart, I do not believe that our nation can stand four more years of the same approach that we have had for the last 12 years," Gore said in Stratford.

Gore's visit to Connecticut marked the first leg of a four-state, three-day swing through New England, a region of the country that is now thought to be fertile territory for the Clinton/Gore ticket.

In fact, Gore was greeted Monday by reports of a new poll showing that Clinton had jumped 21 points ahead of President Bush in Connecticut.

In the poll of 657 registered voters, conducted by the Quinnipiac College Polling Institute from Aug. 3 to 7, Clinton led Bush, 51 percent to 30 percent. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.

Political experts say, however, that Bush will almost inevitably receive a boost from the Republican National Convention, which gets under way Monday in Houston. The size of the boost is open to question and could help determine how much of a battleground New England becomes in the next 2 1/2 months.

Democratic State Chairman Edward L. Marcus, who was among several dozen party luminaries at the Hartford rally, said he is confident the Democrats' baby boomer ticket will win Connecticut in November, predicting a margin of eight to 10 points.

In Hartford, Gore spoke for about 25 minutes and signed autographs for many more. Several supporters waved copies of the book Gore has written on saving the environment.

Many in the crowd -- a mix of downtown office workers and casually attired curiosity-seekers and partisans -- responded loudly and in unison to what has become Gore's tradmark question, "What time is it?"

"It's time for them to go," chanted supporters, referring to Bush and Vice President Dan Quayle.

When Gore asked if they wanted four more years of a "read-my-lips recession," four more years of trickledown economics and four more years of "a phony education president," they shouted, "Noooooo."

Although the crowd was clearly partisan, several people said they had previously backed Bush or independent Ross Perot.

Dave Benton of Vernon, a former Perot supporter, signed up to work for Clinton and Gore.

"I volunteered for Perot before he quit. I figure Clinton and Gore are the next best shot," said Benton, who works for Advest in Hartford. "George has got to go."

Keith Kerpelman of Southington, who works for Travelers Corp., said he probably would support Clinton and Gore, even though he voted for Bush in 1988.

"I'm disenchanted with [Bush's] policies," Kerpelman said. "I'm tired of government for the wealthy."

Gore began the day in New York City, where he appeared with Clinton on CBS-TV for an electronic town meeting. He came to Connecticut by motorcade.

Gore arrived shortly after 11 a.m. at Textron Lycoming, where about 100 people waited to greet him outside the Main Street plant. They cheered and waved as he emerged coatless from a black sedan.

Hands were thrust toward him as he walked into the plant, where gas turbine engines are made for the U.S. Army's main battle tank, the M1A1 Abram and military and commercial aircraft.

The company was a safe stop for Gore. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Gore is on record supporting spending for the tank engines, the plant's main defense product.